Potts grows on court with Spalding

BRIAN BURDEN, Staff Writer

Earl Potts' growth as an individual basketball player has mirrored that of the Archbishop Spalding program he represented the past four seasons.

As the Cavaliers evolved into one of the better programs in the area, Potts emerged as a big-time player. The Capital Gazette Communications Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Potts led the Cavaliers, 8-17 just three years ago, to a 22-12 record this season.

"We started at ground zero four years ago, at the bottom of the conference, and they worked their way up," Archbishop Spalding coach Derrick Lewis said. "We needed to stick with what we were trying to do, and Earl did that better than anybody. It was fun for me to watch these guys grow and experience success."

Potts, called up to varsity midway through his freshman year, played with Cavaliers teams he felt might be more talented, but none that were closer than this group.

"Our trip to Atlanta really helped us bond, as we had four to five guys to a room," Potts said. "We had guys that were strong individually before Atlanta, but now we had a team. From our first workout, I knew we had a team that could be the best."

The Atlanta trip took place over winter break, but Archbishop Spalding set the tone for the season on Dec. 11, when the Cavaliers knocked off Mount St. Joseph, 81-71. Potts had 15 points to complement teammate Jourdan Grant, who finished with a game-high 22. From then on, expectations were much higher around the team, though no higher than they already were from within.

"It is all about confidence with Earl," Grant said. "He knew that, as a senior, he needed to step up, and he did. He always talks about intensity and harps on defense. He is a leader."

Potts is a solidly-built, 6-foot-5 wing-man who played inside throughout his high school career, often matching up with the opponent's big men. His numbers - he averaged 17.8 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists - matched up nicely in the ultra-competitive Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference.

Potts' game reflects a physical maturation that came through hours and hours of work in the offseason. His work in the weight room and his attention to ball-handling - Potts is ambidextrous - helped produce the results in his senior year. Those results included the win over the Gaels, wins over teams from Florida and Georgia, a 36-point, 12-rebound effort in a win over John Carroll, a third-place finish in the A Conference, a semifinal appearance in the A playoffs and the finals of the Baltimore Catholic League.

"My offseason work ethic was really strong," Potts said. "I worked out every day of the summer. It was hard putting away the fun, but I worked on my ball-handling, and I lifted."

And he plays defense.

Playing for Lewis means adhering to a system that focuses on finding the open man on offense and getting on the floor on defense. If you don't, it doesn't matter if you average 17 points or 1.7 points, you will be sitting on the bench next to the big man.

"Defense is all about effort, and he is on the floor every game and always willing to take the charge," Lewis said. "He is a shot blocker who jumps well, and he did a good job on help defense. He was our defensive anchor."

Potts is tough as nails, both physically and mentally. He responds well to constructive criticism and knows there is always an area of his game he can improve that day.

"Earl really understands that the game you played yesterday - that is finished," Lewis said. "He struggled in Atlanta, and we had some frank conversations, but when he came back around, he really came back around. He has a tough mindset, and he simply does not make the same mistakes."

Opponents noted Potts' and the Cavaliers' improvement throughout the season.

"They're a pretty good team," Mount St. Joseph guard Phil Booth said. "They're real talented, athletic and quick. They're a really tough matchup. They don't give you open looks. You've got to work for what you get."

Booth and Williams' Gaels ended Archbishop Spalding's season in the BCL finals, leaving Grant and several of his teammates to expand on the team' success next season.

"It's not going to be the same without (Potts)," Grant said. "He's like my blood. He's like my brother. We're just going to get the same grind and do the same thing. We'll be back in this next year."

However, Potts' journey on the hardcourt is still developing. He is still considering several options for the next level.

"I can get to the paint whenever I want to, and my mid-range jumper has come along," Potts said. "In college, I see myself as a two or a three. If I am a shooting guard, I need to shoot the lights out, I need to improve my midrange game and my right needs to be as good as my left."

Williams agrees.

"The sky's the limit for him," Williams said. "He is going to be a steal wherever he goes."